Auto Accidents and Whiplash
Pain in the neck, head and shoulders caused by the sudden sideways, forward or backward motion of the head is called whiplash.
This sudden jerking motion can cause damage to the muscles and ligaments that support the spine and head.
Whiplash is often the result of an auto accident or collision.
While the majority of people are able to recover within a few weeks or months, others develop chronic pain.
Whiplash occurs most often when the individual's vehicle is hit from behind.
You do not need to be in a serious accident for this type of pain to occur.
In fact, you may notice very little damage to your vehicle but great pain in your neck, shoulders and head.
Many times, the individual feels okay immediately following the accident.
Symptoms may not appear until a few days or weeks after the incident.
There are only soft tissue injuries with whiplash.
This is why it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Some common symptoms of whiplash include:
It is important that the individual not ignore these symptoms.
While pain relievers may reduce pain momentarily, the injury may not heal for months.
This is why many individuals suffering from whiplash visit a chiropractor for pain relief and improved healing.
When you meet with a chiropractor, he will exam your spine and neck to assess the injuries.
He will look at your spinal alignment and check to be sure that you are able to walk properly.
At this time, he will identify any areas that are tender, tight or painful.
In addition, he may order an x-ray or MRI.
Once his initial evaluation is complete, he will design a treatment plan that will ease pain and discomfort and promote healing.
Your treatment plan will depend on the severity of the whiplash.
Spinal manipulation is a very common technique used by chiropractors.
It may be used as part of your treatment.
Manual therapies and cold laser therapies have also been proven to be healing in these situations.
It is unfortunate, but chiropractic care is not yet available in emergency rooms.
Physicians are simply not trained to locate and treat spinal nerve stress.
As a result, patients who come in for spinal nerve stress are not able to get the treatment they require.
As a result, they may suffer with pain and discomfort for months or even years afterwards.
The good news is that chiropractic care is generally covered in full by automobile insurance policies, regardless of who is at fault.
Ask your chiropractic clinic for assistance in submitting insurance paper work and filing a claim with the insurance company.
Many clinics are happy to help patients with this process.
Do not underestimate the pain and damage that whiplash can cause.
Seek help immediately so that you do not prolonged your suffering.
This sudden jerking motion can cause damage to the muscles and ligaments that support the spine and head.
Whiplash is often the result of an auto accident or collision.
While the majority of people are able to recover within a few weeks or months, others develop chronic pain.
Whiplash occurs most often when the individual's vehicle is hit from behind.
You do not need to be in a serious accident for this type of pain to occur.
In fact, you may notice very little damage to your vehicle but great pain in your neck, shoulders and head.
Many times, the individual feels okay immediately following the accident.
Symptoms may not appear until a few days or weeks after the incident.
There are only soft tissue injuries with whiplash.
This is why it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Some common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Irritability
- Shoulder pain
- Back pain or stiffness
- Pain in arms, legs, feet or hands
- Nausea
- Ringing in ears
- Numbness and tingling
It is important that the individual not ignore these symptoms.
While pain relievers may reduce pain momentarily, the injury may not heal for months.
This is why many individuals suffering from whiplash visit a chiropractor for pain relief and improved healing.
When you meet with a chiropractor, he will exam your spine and neck to assess the injuries.
He will look at your spinal alignment and check to be sure that you are able to walk properly.
At this time, he will identify any areas that are tender, tight or painful.
In addition, he may order an x-ray or MRI.
Once his initial evaluation is complete, he will design a treatment plan that will ease pain and discomfort and promote healing.
Your treatment plan will depend on the severity of the whiplash.
Spinal manipulation is a very common technique used by chiropractors.
It may be used as part of your treatment.
Manual therapies and cold laser therapies have also been proven to be healing in these situations.
It is unfortunate, but chiropractic care is not yet available in emergency rooms.
Physicians are simply not trained to locate and treat spinal nerve stress.
As a result, patients who come in for spinal nerve stress are not able to get the treatment they require.
As a result, they may suffer with pain and discomfort for months or even years afterwards.
The good news is that chiropractic care is generally covered in full by automobile insurance policies, regardless of who is at fault.
Ask your chiropractic clinic for assistance in submitting insurance paper work and filing a claim with the insurance company.
Many clinics are happy to help patients with this process.
Do not underestimate the pain and damage that whiplash can cause.
Seek help immediately so that you do not prolonged your suffering.
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